HULL INSULATION

Abstract

The invention relates to an insulation arrangement for a liquefied gas carrying ship wherein the ship has a primary barrier for containing a liquefied gas and a hull, and where the hull is spaced from said primary barrier to define a void between the hull and primary barrier. The hull is insulated with an insulation layer, said layer comprising a plurality of individual tessellating insulation panels.

Claims

1. An insulation arrangement for a liquefied gas carrying ship, said ship comprising a primary barrier for containing a liquefied gas and a hull, wherein the hull is spaced from said primary barrier to define a void between the hull and primary barrier, and wherein the void facing surface of the hull is provided with an insulation layer, said layer comprising a plurality of individual tessellating insulation panels.

2. An insulation arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the insulating panels are triangular in shape.

3. An insulation arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the insulating panels are hexagonal in shape.

4. An insulation arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the insulating panels are irregular pentagons in shape.

5. An insulation arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the insulating panels are square or rectangular in shape.

6. An insulation arrangement according to claim 1 comprising insulation panels selected from any of claims 2 to 4 in combination.

7. An insulation arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulation panels are in abutment with the hull surface.

8. An insulation arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panels are connected to the hull by means of one or more selectively releasable attachments.

9. An insulation arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the selectively releasable attachments are nuts and bolts.

10. An insulation arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein the panels are connected to the hull by means of a single, centrally located selectively releasable attachment.

11. An insulation arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the insulation panels are connected to the hull by means of a glue.

12. An insulation arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the insulation panels are spaced from the hull to define a void between the hull and the insulation panels.

13. An insulation arrangement as claimed in 12, wherein the insulation panels are supported on a support structure spaced from the hull and connected thereto by a plurality of support beams and the panels are connected to the support structure by any one of the means according to claims 8 to 11.

14. An insulation arrangement as claimed in claim 12 wherein the void is arranged to receive an inert gas.

15. An insulation arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the void is filled with nitrogen.

16. An insulation arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulation layer is a cryogenic barrier arranged to contain a liquefied gas released from the primary barrier.

17. A liquefied gas carrying ship comprising a primary barrier for containing a liquefied gas and a hull, wherein the hull is spaced from said primary barrier to define a void between the hull and primary barrier, and wherein the void facing surface of the hull is provided with an insulation layer, said layer comprising a plurality of individual tessellating insulation panels.

18. A liquefied gas carrying ship according to claim 17, wherein the liquefied gas is one selected from Liquefied Natural Gas, Liquefied Ethylene Gas or Liquefied Propane Gas.

19. A method of insulating a ship comprising applying an insulation arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16 and wherein individual panels are tessellated so as to cover the inner surface of the hull surrounding the primary barrier.

20. An insulation arrangement or ship substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.

21. A method substantially as described herein.

22. A method of insulating a marine vessel as substantially described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0043] Aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0044] FIG. 1A shows a cross-section through a void according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0045] FIG. 1B shows a cross-section through a void according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0046] FIGS. 2A to 2C show various shapes of insulation panel and how they tessellate;

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the inner surface of a vessel;

[0048] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of an example panel that could be used in the invention;

[0049] FIG. 5 shows an example coupling arrangement of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

[0050] FIG. 6 shows the coupling and panel in cross-section shown in FIG. 4;

[0051] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a panel assembly frame shown in FIG. 4 comprising 4 panels and associated seals and components;

[0052] FIG. 8 is a schematic showing the inside of the hold space lined with the panels according to the present invention;

[0053] FIG. 9 shows a secondary barrier seal arrangement according to one implementation of an invention;

[0054] FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a panel illustrating a cryogenic joint;

[0055] FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C show a corner joint between 4 adjacent panels;

[0056] FIGS. 12 to 16 show a barrier arrangement according to a best mode;

[0057] FIG. 12 shows two adjacent panels according to a best mode;

[0058] FIG. 13 shows the panel of FIG. 12 in cross-section;

[0059] FIG. 14 shows the joint between adjacent panels of FIG. 12 in cross-section;

[0060] FIGS. 15A and 15B show the central connecting member of FIG. 12 in cross-section and in more detail in 15B respectively;

[0061] FIG. 16 shows a joint cap seal in cross-section.

[0062] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood however that the drawings and detailed description attached hereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed but rather the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

[0063] In addition it will be recognised that the various features of each embodiment may be used in combination with each other and features of each embodiment, as well as features between embodiments and the best mode, are not limited or restricted to use with a given embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through a first embodiment of an invention described herein. The invention comprises a hull 1 which is in contact with seawater 8. Spaced from the hull 1 is a primary barrier 2 which is a wall of a primary containment vessel (not shown in full) which contains a liquefied gas 3.

[0065] A void 5 is defined between the hull 1 and primary barrier 2. This is a space which may we wide enough for an inspect platform for example.

[0066] The hull surface facing the void 5 further comprises an insulating layer 4 made up of a plurality of insulating panels 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D. The panels are connected directly to the hull by means of one or more connections.

[0067] One example of a connection is a bolt welded to the hull which extends into the respective panel and onto which a securing nut can be attached. Further examples are described below.

[0068] The insulating panels 4A-4D are configured such that they will prevent the passage of liquefied gas therethrough i.e. they are impervious to liquefied gas.

[0069] In use the primary tank is filled with liquefied gas and is retained by the walls of the primary barrier. Should there be a failure of the barrier such as fracture or leak the insulating layer acts as a secondary barrier and contains the liquefied gas within the void 5.

[0070] Since the insulating layer is tessellated over the entire surface of the hull proximate the primary tank the entire hull is protected by the insulating layer.

[0071] The invention thereby provides a modular system for insulating a liquefied gas carrying ship or marine construction. It allows the entire hull to be protected and is convenient to install, economical to manufacture (many panels are the same shape), can be conveniently inspected in the void and can be repaired and maintained easily.

[0072] FIG. 1B shows an alternative embodiment in which the secondary barrier defined by the insulation layer 4 is spaced from the hull 2 to define a second void 6 between hull and insulating layer 4. Here the insulation layer and panels for the layer are supported on a suitable frame (not shown) which is connected to the hull 2 by support beams 7. It will be recognised that the insulation layer may be spaced from the hull using any suitable framework or structure which receives the tessellating panels.

[0073] The void 6 may receive an inert gas such as nitrogen to prevent the ingress of water vapour which cause corrosion to the hull or support beams.

[0074] FIGS. 2A to 2C show different layout of installed panels on the hull surface. For example in FIG. 2A hexagonal panels may be used. In FIG. 2B triangles and in FIG. 2C irregular pentagons. These are just examples. It will be appreciated that of importance is the fact that the shapes tessellate to cover the hull's surface.

[0075] It should be recognised (as discussed further below) that the individual panels or tiles may not immediately abut one another but may provide a clearance which is then filled with suitable insulating material. Once filled and an optional surface layer applied the surface is continuous i.e. uninterrupted in terms of its impervious property.

[0076] The installation and construction of one embodiment of the insulating panels will now be described. The example described below relates to a tessellating panel with a single central coupling. However, it will be recognised that a number of similar couplings could be used per panel and the invention is not limited to tessellated panels with a single couplingany convenient coupling arrangement or number may be used.

[0077] It will also be recognised that the features of each panel described (in terms of material and layer by layer make-up) can be conveniently used in any combination with the tessellating concept of the panels.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the vessel in FIG. 2B without the primary containment hold 2.

[0079] As set out above, the present invention provides a marine vessel cryogenic barrier comprising a plurality of multi-layered insulation panels. Each of the panels is arranged to align with an adjacent panel on an inner surface of a hold space 10 of a marine vessel and each panel has a single or multiple coupling means located at the centre of the panel. This coupling is arranged to couple the respective panel to the inner surface of the hold space of the marine vessel.

[0080] The single coupling for each panel can be illustrated by the coupling locations 13 shown in FIG. 3. The couplings 13 define a matrix for the square panels that are to be installed to line the hold space of the vessel. Each of the coupling locations represents a coupling that is connected to the hull 4 of the vessel either directly or via a frame, discussed further below. As shown the coupling matrix extends along the entire area of the hold space 10.

[0081] A first arrangement of a cryogenic barrier system will now be described.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of an individual panel according to an embodiment of the invention. The component parts of the panel are assembled at different stages. FIG. 4 illustrated the component parts of the fully assembled panel.

[0083] The right hand side of FIG. 4 represents the part of the panel proximate to the vessel's hull 4 and the left hand side to the panel proximate the LNG hold 2. These can be referred to as warm and cold sides respectively.

[0084] The panel comprises a threaded coupling rod 14 which is connected to the hull (or a hull connection frame described below). The rod 14 is arranged to pass through the centre of the panel. A single rod is provided per panel. The rod is provided with a support disc 15 to support the panel against the hull or framework

[0085] The multi-layers panel is formed of the following layers. First, a crack arresting layer 17 is provided to seal the outer surface of the panel and prevent cracking and degradation.

[0086] A warm side insulation panel 18 formed of a polyurethane foam is then followed by a plywood surface protection and contraction layer 19.

[0087] A locking nut 21 secures the warm side assembly together and is sealed with a washer 22. It should be noted that once assembled the locking nut 21 is actually closer to the hull wall than the locking nut 16 as will be described below.

[0088] A second crack arrester layer 23 is then provided on the outer surface of the cold side insulation panel 24 which is the substantive insulation layer of the panel.

[0089] It should be noted that the first panel sub-group A is not bonded across its surface to the first group B. The two sub-groups are only connected together by means of the centrally located coupling means. Thus, thermal and mechanical movements of the respective pairs to not impart mechanical loads on each other and so stress and resulting damage/fatigue can be mitigated. Such forces are created by movement of the vessel and thermal expansion and contraction.

[0090] The main panel 24 comprises an enlarged central cylindrical chamber 25 into which the distal end of the threaded rod 14 extends when the panel is assembled. The chamber 25 extends part-way through the width of the main panel as shown in FIG. 6 and described below.

[0091] The panel is secured to the rod 14 by means of an anchor arrangement 26 which is a disc or washer having a larger surface area that the cross-sectional surface area of the rod 14. A locking nut 30 secures the threaded rod to the panel and on tightening brings the anchor plate into contact with the bottom of the chamber to hold the first and second sub-assemblies A and B to the hull i.e. the anchor plate holds the panel together and secures it to the hull.

[0092] A flexible zone 27 surrounds the perimeter of the main panel, the main panel being formed of a polyurethane foam. The flexible zone is caused by the injection of foam into the joints surrounding the panel as described further below. The flexible zone accommodates relative movement of adjacent panels caused by mechanical and/or thermal movement and retains a tight seal and contact between adjacent panels.

[0093] As surface protection layer and contraction control layer 28 is arrange immediately on top of the cold surface of the main panel which is itself coated with an impervious layer 29 such as reinforced aluminium foil, a cryogenic coating, or other layer impervious to cryogenic liquid.

[0094] The outer layer has a minimum thickness of 0.05 mm.

[0095] In order to secure the thermal and mechanical integrity of the assembled panel foam 31 is introduced through the control layer 28 and impervious layer 29 (there being a small hole provided in the centre of the panel. A polyurethane foam is injected into the hole which fills the chamber 25 providing the main panel with uniform insulation properties. The hole in the impervious layer 29 is then sealed with an impervious sealing foil or cryogenic coating 32. The integrity of the impervious layer 29 is therefore restored.

[0096] FIG. 5 shows a coupling arrangement of this embodiment in more detail with the rod 14, anchor plate and locking nut 30.

[0097] FIG. 6 shows the constructed panel and coupling in cross-section. Like reference numerals are used to show the component parts in the assembled panel. FIG. 6 also shows the foam injection hole 34 used to introduce foam into the chamber 31 to seal the chamber and restore uniform thermal insulation properties. The complete assembled panel is show at reference 35.

[0098] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a panel assembly frame comprising four panels and associated seals and components between adjacent panels.

[0099] The 4 panels 36, 37, 38, 39 are shown.

[0100] The panels are separated into the main and secondary sub-assemblies (shown as group A and B). This is because the main and secondary panels are not directly bonded to each other. They are connected together by means of the rods 14 passing through each panel at the centre-point.

[0101] The joints between adjacent panels are filled with a polyurethane foam described further below. The flexible zone of FIG. 4 is formed of injected foam defining the perimeter seals 42. An Impervious layer 29 and protection layer 28 are shown as a single layer 43 in FIG. 6.

[0102] The joint seal 45 between the layers forming the panels of the warm side insulation panels will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0103] FIG. 8 is a schematic showing the inside of the hold space lined with the tessellated panels.

[0104] FIG. 9 shows the secondary barrier seal arrangement 45 according to a first embodiment and the foil arrangement used to seal along the joint between adjacent panels.

[0105] FIG. 9 also shows the concave portion 49 of the impervious joint layer extending between adjacent panels. This is formed by bonding the layer to the adjacent panels with a surplus of material. This concave or curve portion allows for movement of adjacent panels at both the main and secondary levels without straining the respective impervious layers.

[0106] FIG. 10 also shows the foam layer 41 (also shown in FIG. 7) which is introduced into the joint between adjacent panels to seal the joint and provide the flex zones.

[0107] FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C show different possible corner joint between 4 adjacent panels. FIG. 11A shows a panel with corner portions cut away in a generally semi-circular shape. FIGS. 11B and 11C show one arrangement in which a convex dome portion is defined. The excess material defining the convex portion allows for relative movement of the 4 adjacent panels in each direction. This thereby retains the integrity of the barrier at corned joints.

[0108] The cryogenic barrier may be installed as follows:

[0109] First, the coupling points are connected to the hold space wall directly onto the hull. Each individual panel is pre-manufactured and delivered to the installation site. The panels are then aligned with the coupling rods, the anchor plates installed and the lock nut tightened and secured. The cover comprising the surface protection layer and impervious layer is put in place and polyurethane foam is injected into the chamber located above the lock nut to seal the chamber.

[0110] The hole through which the foam is injected is then sealed with a impervious patch covering the hole and bonded using a cryogenically resistant glue.

[0111] Next, the joints between adjacent panels are filled with polyurethane foam.

[0112] The preferred embodiment (alternatively termed best mode) will now be described.

[0113] The preferred embodiment represents an overall improved implementation over the embodiment described above. However, it will be recognised that aspects and features of each may advantageously be interchanged.

[0114] FIG. 12 shows two adjacent panels according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Each panel comprises a warm panel 121 and a cold panel 122.

[0115] The outer face, that is the face of the panel arranged to face the primary hold of the vessel (ship), is covered with a secondary barrier layer 123. The gap between adjacent panels is sealed by means of a flexible secondary barrier strip 124.

[0116] The space between adjacent panels is filled with a flexible panel joint 125. These features are described in more detail below.

[0117] FIG. 13 shows the panel of FIG. 12 in cross-section. It should be noted that the region A is in cross-section and the region B is the top of the panel extending into the distance (see FIG. 12).

[0118] The cross-section shares a number of similarities with the first embodiment described above and it will be recognised that features may be interchanged.

[0119] Focussing on region A of FIG. 13 this represents the warm and cold portions of the panel shown in FIG. 12. Working from the outer (the lower surface) the panel is constructed of the following layers: [0120] 131a crack barrier imbedded with glass mesh [0121] 132a rigid polyurethane layer [0122] 133a plywood support layer [0123] 134a second crack barrier imbedded with glass mesh [0124] 135a rigid polyurethane layer [0125] 136a second plywood support layer

[0126] The secondary barrier 137 (123 in FIG. 12) is located on top of the second plywood support layer.

[0127] Between adjacent panels there is provided a flexible filler 139 (125 in FIG. 12) formed of mineral wool.

[0128] Each panel is conveniently constructed around a centrally located single support fixation 138 shown in FIG. 13. This will be described in more detail below.

[0129] A discussed above multiple connections may be made at corners of panels for example (or any suitable location) and the invention is not limited to a single central connection.

[0130] FIG. 14 shows the cryogenic joint between adjacent panels in more detail. Again, as with FIG. 13, the view is part cross-section.

[0131] When consecutive panels are located in position, as shown in FIG. 8 a space between adjacent panels is defined which must be filled and sealed to provide complete cryogenic integrity of the inner barrier surface. This is achieved by locating mineral wool 141 between adjacent warm panels,

[0132] Expanded polyurethane foam 142 is located between two opposing compressed mineral wool layers 143 which in turn are in contact with respect warm layers of adjacent panels.

[0133] To provide a sealing surface on an inner surface of the panel the gap between adjacent panels is sealed with flexible secondary barrier 144 (reference 124 in FIG. 12).

[0134] As shown in FIG. 14 the flexible secondary layer 144 is concave in nature allowing for movement of adjacent panels. Movement may occur for example because of thermal expansion and/or flexing of the hull during travel.

[0135] FIG. 15A show the central connecting member of FIG. 13 in cross-section and in more detail in 15B respectively.

[0136] The single coupling advantageously serves a number of purposes.

[0137] First, it allows for convenient coupling of the panel to the hull, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. The central connection minimises interference with the hull. Second the single central connection allows for thermal and/or mechanical movement of the panels with respect to the hull. This maintains integrity and longevity of the barrier. Third, it facilitates installation and maintenance requiring just a single operation to make the connection between panel and hull.

[0138] Still further the single connection allows the panel to be pre-fabricated with the central coupling holding the sub-components of the panel together.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 15A the coupling comprises a first stainless steel stud bolt 151 which passes through the warm and cold panels. The warm panel is coupled to the bolt by means of lock nut and washer 152.

[0140] The cold panel is provided with a centrally located cylindrical recess into which an anchor cup 153 is located. This is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 15B.

[0141] The anchor 153 may be formed of glass reinforced plastic. The anchor is coupled to the bolt 151 by means of a second lock nut and washer 154. Once the second lock nut and washer are located an expanded polyurethane foam 155 can be introduced into the cylindrical centre of the anchor to restore the cold panel layer. Thus, the cold panel layer incorporates an integrated anchor located about the centre of the panel defined by the bolt 151.

[0142] A secondary barrier fixation cover pad 156 is then located over the embedded anchor to provide the secondary barrier surface and again retain the integrity of the surface.

[0143] FIG. 15B shows an exploded view of the anchor arrangement showing the bolt and how it locates into the anchor 153. The expanded polyurethane foam 155 and secondary barrier 156 are also shown.

[0144] Importantly the anchor 153 is provided with a radially extending flange which engages with the inner (upper surface in FIG. 15A) of the panel and which advantageously holds the panel in compression as the lock nut and washer 154 are engaged.

[0145] The pair of locking nuts and washers in cooperation with the anchor and flange securely fasten the panel layers together.

[0146] FIG. 16 shows a further alternative corner connection between adjacent panels as those shown in FIGS. 11A-11C in cross-section. A pre-formed glass reinforced plastic of metal seal member is fixed to a plywood layer with screws and adhesive. The entire surface can then be coated after the installation on the vessel.